Antonio Rattín

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Lore & Background

Rattín remains as one of the greatest idols of Boca Juniors, the only club where he played for 15 years, winning 5 titles. He also played for the Argentina national team, winning the Taça das Nações (Nations Cup) in 1964. Following the end of his professional sports career, Rattín became involved in politics and, in the 2001 legislative election, was elected to the National Chamber of Deputies for the Federalist Unity Party list in Buenos Aires.

In Their Own Story

On 9 September 1956, the young Rattín stepped onto the pitch for his professional debut against Boca's major rival, River Plate. Replacing the injured Eliseo Mouriño, he helped secure a 2–1 win and immediately established himself as the team's holding midfielder. For fourteen years, he remained loyal to one club, accumulating 357 matches and 28 goals while leading Boca to five titles. His international journey saw him play 32 times for Argentina, winning the Taça das Nações in 1964 and captaining his country at the 1966 World Cup. That tournament produced a legendary confrontation where he clashed with referee Rudolf Kreitlein, refusing an expulsion order until forced out by two policemen after sitting on the Queen's red carpet. After retiring in 1970, he transitioned to management, coaching Boca's youth teams and first division sides of Gimnasia La Plata (1977, 1979) and Boca Juniors (1980). In a surprising pivot to scouting, he worked for Sheffield United in 1978, helping bring Alejandro Sabella to the club before the partnership ended.

Reader's Guide

A Boca Juniors supporter since childhood, Rattín joined the club's youth team and made his professional debut on 9 September 1956, against River Plate, replacing the injured Eliseo Mouriño. Boca won 2–1. He established himself as the team's regular holding midfielder. In his fourteen-year professional career, he played only for Boca Juniors, winning the Argentine championship in 1962, 1964 and 1965, and the Nacional in 1969, as well as the 1969 Copa Argentina. With Argentina he played 32 times, including the 1962 World Cup, and captained his country in the 1966 World Cup. In the quarter-final against England, he was sent off by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein for 'violence of the tongue', despite the referee speaking no Spanish. Rattín initially refused to leave, sat on the red carpet reserved for the Queen, and had to be escorted from the field by two policemen; he wrinkled a British pennant before leaving. This incident arguably started the long-lasting rivalry between both national teams and allowed for the institution of yellow and red cards. After 357 matches and 28 goals with Boca Juniors, Rattín retired in 1970. He coached youth teams of Boca Juniors, and the first division teams of Gimnasia La Plata in 1977 and 1979, and Boca Juniors in 1980. In 1978, he was briefly employed by Sheffield United as a scout, partly responsible for bringing Alejandro Sabella to Bramall Lane. In 2001, he was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies for the Federalist Unity Party, chaired the Sports Committee, and stepped down in 2005. He died on 11 July 2026 at age 89.

Did You Know?

• Rattín was the first footballer to enter Congress in Argentina.
• He sat on the red carpet reserved for the Queen during the 1966 World Cup quarter-final.
• His sending-off incident led to the introduction of yellow and red cards in football.